East Allen Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Signs
§ 250-56 (((-601.))) Scope and applicability.
A.
Purpose. The purposes of the regulations contained in this article are to:
B.
Permit required.
(1)
A sign permit is required for any temporary or permanent sign exceeding two square feet in area not excepted by § 250-56B(2).
(2)
A sign permit is not required for:
(3)
Each sign shall comply with the standards of this ordinance, whether or not a sign permit is required.
(4)
Rewording or relettering of an existing sign shall require payment of a fee determined by the Board of Supervisors.
C.
Nonconforming signs.
(1)
Signs existing at the date of enactment of this ordinance and which do not conform to the requirements of this ordinance shall be considered nonconforming signs.
(2)
Once a nonconforming sign is removed, it may be replaced only with a conforming sign.
(3)
Nonconforming signs (including existing lighting) may be repainted or repaired provided such repainted or repaired sign does not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign; wording may also be changed.
§ 250-57 (((-602.))) Construction.
§ 250-58 (((-603.))) Location.
A.
Not within street lines. No sign shall be allowed within street right-of-way lines (except those of the government body which owns such right-of-way), unless specifically authorized by another Township ordinance or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law or regulation.
B.
No traffic interference.
(1)
No sign shall be so located or arranged that it interferes with traffic through glare, through blocking of reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways, through confusion with a traffic control device (by reason of color, location, shape or other characteristic) or through any other means.
C.
Signs shall be permitted in a front yard, but not within the street right-of-way line.
§ 250-59 (((-604.))) Height.
No freestanding sign structure shall exceed 18 feet in height above the average ground level at the base of such sign.
§ 250-60 (((-605.))) Number permitted.
A.
On-premises signs.
(2)
Planned developments.
(a)
Planned commercial, office, or industrial developments. In addition to the signs permitted for individual commercial uses, one freestanding on-premises sign indicating the name of the development may be erected along each road fronting such development.
(b)
Residential developments. One freestanding on-premises sign indicating the name of the subdivision, single-family cluster development or planned residential development may be erected along each road fronting such development.
(3)
Temporary signs.
(a)
Real estate. A temporary sign, not to exceed four square feet, may be permitted within the property lines, advertising the prospective or completed sale or rental of the premises upon which it is located, provided that such sign shall be maintained and removed within seven days after consummation of the lease or sale transaction.
(b)
Construction sites. A nonilluminated temporary sign, not to exceed eight square feet (developer/contractor sign or mechanic/subcontractor/other artisan sign) may be permitted on a construction site, provided that such sign shall be removed within seven days after completion of the construction work and not more than one sign per developer, contractor, mechanic, subcontractor or artisan shall be placed on each street frontage of the construction site.
(c)
Public events. A temporary, on-premises sign, not to exceed eight square feet, may be permitted announcing a political, public, educational, charitable, civic, religious or similar campaign or event for a total period not to exceed 30 days in any calendar year, provided that it is removed within seven days after the conclusion of the campaign or event.
(d)
Banners, spinners, pennants, or any moving object used for commercial advertising purposes (whether containing a message or not), except for use during not more than four special occasions in one calendar year by a use located in any zoning district for a period of not more than a total of 20 days per calendar year.
(e)
Portable signs may be permitted for any commercial advertising purposes, except for use during not more than one special occasion in one calendar year by a commercial use located in any zoning district for a period of not more than a total of 60 days. A security deposit in accordance with the Township Fee Schedule shall be submitted.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Township Fee Schedule is on file in the Township offices and can be viewed during regular office hours.
§ 250-61 (((-606.))) Illuminated signs.
A.
Shielding. Signs may be illuminated by direct lighting, provided that such lighting shall be shielded so no direct light will shine on abutting properties or in the normal line of vision of the public using the streets.
B.
Prohibited in certain residential districts. Illuminated signs shall be prohibited from the Suburban Residential and Planned Residential Districts.
C.
Flashing signs prohibited. All flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type [except those portions of signs which indicate time and temperature change(s)] are prohibited in all districts.
§ 250-62 (((-607.))) Removal.
A.
On-premises signs advertising a use no longer in existence or a product no longer available shall be removed or changed to advertise a new use or product within 90 days after cessation of the original use or availability of the original product.
B.
Signs once removed shall be replaced only by signs in conformance with this ordinance.
§ 250-63 (((-608.))) Vehicles or structures used as signs.
A.
Any vehicle or structure to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of such sign or signs no longer is incidental to the primary purpose of the vehicle or structure but becomes a primary purpose in itself shall be considered a freestanding sign and as such shall be subject to the provisions regarding freestanding signs in the district in which such vehicle or structure is located.
B.
All sign provisions of this ordinance shall apply to the use of silos, smokestacks, water towers and other similar structures as signs.
§ 250-64 (((-609.))) Signs prohibited in all districts.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
A.
Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type, except those portions of signs which indicate time and temperature changes.
B.
Signs placed, inscribed or supported upon the roof or upon any structure which extends above the eave of the roof of any building.
C.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor.
§ 250-65 (((-610.))) Sign area regulations.
§ 250-66 (((-611.))) Off-premises advertising signs (billboards).
B.
Setbacks and spacing. Off-premises advertising signs (billboards) shall be:
(1)
Located outside the required front yard.
(2)
Spaced no closer than 1,000 feet from another billboard, as measured along the same side of the street, or meet spacing requirements of the Pennsylvania Highway Beautification Act.
(3)
Located no closer than 250 feet from an SR, PR, A/RR or C District as measured along the same side of the street.
(4)
Located no closer than 1,000 feet from an historic site or structure.
(5)
Located on properties with a minimum frontage of 200 linear feet.
(6)
Located no closer than 500 feet to a residence.
C.
Building requirements. All off-premises signs must meet the UCC Code as to structural and electrical standards.
§ 250-66.1 Exemption of political signs.
The East Allen Township Zoning Ordinance has not and will not regulate political signs within the confines of the Township. Political signs are exempted from the Zoning Ordinance.